Peilun Li

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Peilun Li ("PL") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

PL : My major was Interior Design in the university.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

PL : Design is my true love.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

PL : This was a coincidence. But now I believe I am chosen.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

PL : Private houses, museums. I am always interested in designing of variety types of projects I have never done before.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

PL : Always redefine what you see and what you hear.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

PL : A good designer might know the clients by eyes/ears. A great designer understands them by brains, and even more loves them by heart.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

PL : I believe when the design gets the achievement of truth, excellence and then beauty, it will be successful. And this is the right order.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

PL : For me, design is to improve the relationship between people and objects. It's definitely worthy of being invested.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

PL : My own house.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

PL : Taiwan will surpass Japan in 2025 to become a "super ageing society." That is, 20% of the population is over 65 years old. I am very concerned about the design issues of the elderly population and hope to propose a new type of old-age housing model in connection with social design.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

PL : I believe when the design gets the achievement of truth, excellence and then beauty, it will be successful. And this is the right order.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

PL : I visited Lunuganga in Sri Lanka designed by Geoffrey Bawa this Spring. The continuous scenes flow with objects, nature and time, which impressed me very much. It is an excellent relation between person and architecture in the nature world.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

PL : It's a structure made of shading nets and wood, like a screenhouse in the forest designed by a young Taiwanese architect Divooe Zein. It also create a filter between "bright" and "dark", "In" and "Out", "colorful" and "greyscale"....etc. He doesn't do much, however, the design achievement is rich.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

PL : I am more satisfied with my latest project "Qing House". It is a comprehensive practice of my design philosophy from landcape , architecture and interior design.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

PL : To cultivate the ability of observation and skill of sketch.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

PL : A movie director.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

PL : For me, design is to improve the relationship between people and objects. There is nothing that can’t be designed and there is always room for improvement.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

PL : My major was Interior Design in university but I dreamed of becoming a dancer at that time. After graduated, I might escape from this professional field or have multiple jobs at the same time. Until three years ago, I failed to carry out design work due to health factors. In the meantime, I suddenly realized that design is my true love. The involvement of various fields in the past 20 years allows me to keep an open mind when thinking. All of these help me review the reality of design all the time and enjoy its beauty.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

PL : I thought I love other things better.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

PL : To work happily till the end of life.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

PL : When respect the physical condition of a project, we can save energy as much as possible. When face and restructure the real needs of users, we will not over-design. If we can do it with materials from cradle to cradle, better. Ｔhe highest level is to propose systematic plans from the perspective of social design by crossover cooperation with different professions. Sometimes the best design is invisible.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

PL : I am working on a architectural house design, which is located in beautiful Eastern Taiwan, facing the Pacific Ocean and having the mountains in the back.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

PL : It was a museum design (Aurora Museum) in Shanghai. The museum collection is divided into Buddhist Sculptures, Ancient Jade, Ancient Pottery Figures, and Blue-and-white Porcelains. The master planner of this project was Tadao Ando and I was in charged of 2F Special Exhibitions Space. The standard of physical conditions such as temperature, humidity and light design is strict. It's quite a challenge for me .

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

PL : Taiwan will surpass Japan in 2025 to become a "super ageing society." That is, 20% of the population is over 65 years old. I am very concerned about the design issues of the elderly population and hope to propose a new type of old-age housing model in connection with social design.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

PL : The third World countries

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

PL : It depends on the scales of projects.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

PL : To study the site and the users first.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

PL : When we empty ourselves, the work speaks for itself.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

PL : Technology doesn't play a big role when I design.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

PL : AutoCAD and Sketchup.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

PL : The ambient is prior to color and materials. When ambient changes, colors and materials will have different effects. The interaction will make people have different senses.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

PL : The detail about stair design and its construction technology.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

PL : I will hope to stay as long as possible to study how the design was done.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

PL : My professor Dr. Hsieh in the university.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

PL : Keep traveling.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

PL : Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

PL : It is really not easy for a studio designer.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

PL : White, home, fish, fall, TI(it is my design brand)

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

PL : I live everyday as the last day.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

PL : I don't think so.